Here's What Apple's Annual Report Says About Where Products Are Assembled

"Final assembly of products sold by the Company is conducted in the Company's manufacturing facilities in Sacramento, California, Cork, Ireland, and Singapore and by external vendors in Taiwan, Korea, Mexico, the People's Republic of China, and the Czech Republic. Currently, many components of the Company's products and final asssembly of all of the Company's portable products including PowerBooks, iBooks, and the iPod is performed by third-party vendors in Taiwan. "

[quote]Originally posted by EmAn:
<strong>So?</strong><hr></blockquote>
So, I don't know what MacsRGood4U's point was, but it kind of disturbs me that some of Apple's products are built in China. They don't exactly have a beautiful human rights record...

[quote]Originally posted by Stroszek:
<strong>
So, I don't know what MacsRGood4U's point was, but it kind of disturbs me that some of Apple's products are built in China. They don't exactly have a beautiful human rights record...</strong><hr></blockquote>

Nor does the USA. China also has a lower crime rate and fewer murders a year. If you consider the right to live a human right, perhaps China's human rights record is a bit better than ours?

[quote]Originally posted by Stroszek:
<strong>
So, I don't know what MacsRGood4U's point was, but it kind of disturbs me that some of Apple's products are built in China. They don't exactly have a beautiful human rights record...</strong><hr></blockquote>

It would be more surprising if Apple didn't have some of their products made in China. I think it'd be rare to find such a company.

Jamie,
From time to time posters have questioned where Apple makes their computers and who makes them. I didnt anticipate anyone as this question comes up a lot. I just quoted the official source since so many people here post incorrect answers. Shame on me I guess.

The biggest problem with products made in China is quality control. I assume the PowerMacs are assembled in California, the iMacs in Taiwan. I'm guessing perhaps the mice and keyboards are made in China?............................................ ...

[quote]Originally posted by steve666:
<strong>The biggest problem with products made in China is quality control. I assume the PowerMacs are assembled in California, the iMacs in Taiwan. I'm guessing perhaps the mice and keyboards are made in China?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Lets look at it this way at least they haven't moved their 'offices' to Bermuda or some country where they could skip paying US taxes and leave the rest of us to pay their portion like some 'US' companies are already doing like Stanley Tools plans to do.

I like that some stuff is still being built in good ole Cork. They used to build all the Powerbooks there (Wallstreet, I think). Where our Macs are built is a concern to me as I'd like to think that my iBook was built in a country that abides by international labor and human rights standards.
Wait, weren't those wiped out by GATT and the WTO?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with macintosh products made in China. The quality controls are obviously to international standards. I see more advantages for having products produced in China for they are quite a bit cheaper. Why are you worried about things made in China? You should do some research about China before you block yourself with feelings against it like quality and human rights. China is economically powerful and has a big influence in the world. I've spoken to the vice pres of Apple China. He says we sould be expecting more ports of mac industries from the province of Taiwan to China. That's good news.

&gt;There is absolutely nothing wrong with macintosh products made in China. The quality controls are obviously to international standards. I see more advantages for having products produced in China for they are quite a bit cheaper. Why are you worried about things made in China? You should do some research about China before you block yourself with feelings against it like quality and human rights. China is economically powerful and has a big influence in the world. I've spoken to the vice pres of Apple China. He says we sould be expecting more ports of mac industries from the province of Taiwan to China. That's good news.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Its mainly the management than the labor that affects the quality control. China just happens to be a place to build things as cheaply as possible. Moving manufacturing from Taiwan to China is NOT a good thing since Taiwan is a stable manufacturing country with a good track record, China is not. Perhaps in a few years, but then of course the labor costs will go up and the greedy bastards will try to find a cheaper place for labor. Thats the way it goes nowadays. Malaysia is the site of a HP plant thats world renowned for quality control. HP just opened up a plant in China to build its less expensive printers. HP's warranties on their malaysian-built printers is one year. The warranty on their China-built printers is 90 days. Time will tell if that means anything....................

My iMac Rev. D keyboard and puck mouse were made in china. Nothing's wrong with them. and that HP warranty stuff - it has more to do with making them as cheap as possible than it being manufactured in China. Both the 90 day warranty and the plants in China are EFFECTS of the same CAUSE: to make the product as cheap as possible (ie to compete with Lexmark)

Its mainly the management than the labor that affects the quality control. China just happens to be a place to build things as cheaply as possible. Moving manufacturing from Taiwan to China is NOT a good thing since Taiwan is a stable manufacturing country with a good track record, China is not. Perhaps in a few years, but then of course the labor costs will go up and the greedy bastards will try to find a cheaper place for labor. Thats the way it goes nowadays. Malaysia is the site of a HP plant thats world renowned for quality control. HP just opened up a plant in China to build its less expensive printers. HP's warranties on their malaysian-built printers is one year. The warranty on their China-built printers is 90 days. Time will tell if that means anything....................<hr></blockquote>

Yeah, compare the top-end printers bottom-end printers. Good idea.

And despite being part of the Commonwealth, Malaysia has an abominable human rights record compared with China. Why don't you search Google for "slave labor" and Malaysia? Heck, slave labor in Malaysia was even part of the Zoolander movie plot.

[quote]Nor does the USA. China also has a lower crime rate and fewer murders a year. If you consider the right to live a human right, perhaps China's human rights record is a bit better than ours?<hr></blockquote>

Eugene:
Yeah, compare the top-end printers bottom-end printers. Good idea.
And despite being part of the Commonwealth, Malaysia has an abominable human rights record compared with China. Why don't you search Google for "slave labor" and Malaysia? Heck, slave labor in Malaysia was even part of the Zoolander movie plot.

Actually, I was comparing the $99 HP 920 to the $199 HP 960, which is hardly top of the line. As for human rights record, that wasn't my issue it was someone elses.

However, when you mention the lower murder rate in China making it a safer place to live, I'd rather take my chances with the occasional thug than have my government be the one doing the beating and killing. I would think most people would.............................

They make power adapters in China. PowerBooks are assembled in Taiwan. So are the iMacs AFAIK. Where a product comes from has no relevance to me as long as the quality is there. It's not like you're buying food and it's different depending on what country you buy from. These are computers assembled in extremely standardized factories. Frankly, at the price point Macs sell for, no matter where they are made they will probably be good quality.

What WOULD concern me is a Made in China Dual 1 GHz G4 tower selling for $500 with 17" flatscreen CRT display. At a lower price something has to be sacrificed, either features or quality. It hasn't happened. I'm not worried.